The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday demanded the removal of Commissioner of Police for elections, Mr. Abayomi Oladipo, accusing him of bias against the party. Speaking to journalists in Osogbo, PDP acting chairman Dr. Adekunle Akindele claimed that the state had been infiltrated by armed men from the Nigeria Police and thugs brought in from outside to create mayhem and unrest. He alleged that these armed men were received at the private home of a senior party member, who then handed them a list of PDP leaders and members to be arrested and detained without justification.
“As I address you today, PDP leaders are being hunted and arrested in a Gestapo‑style operation. Across Osun State, the houses of our leaders are being surrounded and raided even without search warrants. When our leaders are not at home, their families are arrested and their cars seized on various false pretenses. An undemocratic statewide campaign is underway to lock up prominent PDP figures ahead of the next state election. It is shocking that such mass raids are being conducted against a ruling political party in clear violation of fundamental human rights,” Akindele said.
He added that the Police Commissioner has failed to act professionally, noting that all petitions from the PDP regarding violent attacks on its members have been ignored. “We have concluded that the state Commissioner of Police for elections, Abayomi Oladipo, is biased and partisan. We call for his immediate redeployment,” he declared. Akindele also urged Inspector General of Police Usman Baba Alkali to investigate APC members for perpetrating violence in the state.
In response, Osun APC acting chairman Mr. Tajudeen Lawal described the PDP’s allegations as strange and unsubstantiated. He emphasized that APC chieftains are staunch believers in the rule of law and would adhere to it fully, adding that if PDP leaders had nothing to hide, there would be no reason to challenge police officers carrying out their statutory duties of effective policing.
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